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Station Characteristics 2012-05-11/2141914043
GAW ID ALT Alert (Canada)
WMO ID Global station in WMO RA IV - North/Central America
station status established 1986 / full operation 82.49915°N 62.34153°W (210 m a.s.l.)
time zone UTC-5
climate zone ET (Tundra climate)  
other affiliations BSRN, CAPMoN, NOAA-ESRL/CCG, NOAA-ESRL/AERO(ALT), NDACC, RAMCES, CarboEurope
description In 1986, the Alert Background Air Pollution Monitoring Network (BAPMoN) Observatory was opened as Canada's first research station for the continuous monitoring of background concentrations of trace gases and aerosols.
Currently, the Dr. Neil Trivett Global Atmosphere Watch Observatory at Alert, NU is the most northerly site in the GAW Network. It is located on the northeastern tip of Ellesmere Island in Nunavut, Canada at 82º28'N and 62º30'W, far removed from the major industrial regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Alert is also the site of a military station (CFS Alert) staffed with about 60 personnel, and an Environment Canada Upper Air Weather Station. The Alert GAW Observatory is approximately 400 m2 in size and is situated 210 m above sea level and 6 km SSW of CFS Alert. It is a key site for Arctic atmospheric process studies, which have led to the discovery of such phenomena as Arctic haze, important chemical interactions of pollutants with snow surfaces, and rapid changes in the chemical composition of the atmospheric boundary layer during polar sunrise.
The program at Alert has grown substantially since its inception. A team of Canadian scientists, working in partnership with international scientists, maintains the extensive measurement program at Alert. The measurement and research of trace atmospheric constituents thought to have an impact on climate remains a primary function for this station.
Picture of Alert facility

Measurement Program
type parameter method contributor data available details
Aerosol Carbonaceous/organic material (coarse), PM10 Thermo-optical analyzer (Sunset Labs)
Carbonaceous/organic material (fine) Thermo-optical analyzer (Sunset Labs)
Hemispheric backscattering coefficient Nephelometry, integrating EC
Light absorption coefficient, total aerosol Filter + light attenuation (aethalometer) EC 2004-11-01 ~ ongoing
Light absorption coefficient, total aerosol Light absorption photometry EC
Light absorption coefficient, total aerosol Light absorption photometry
Light scattering coefficient, total aerosol Nephelometry, integrating EC
Major inorganic components (fine) Filter sampling + extraction + IC
Major inorganic components (TSP) Filter sampling + extraction + IC EC
Mass concentration (total aerosol) or Mass TSP Filter sampling + gravimetry EC
Number concentration Condensation particle counter (CPC) EC
Number concentration Optical particle counter (OPC)
Number size distribution, total aerosol Differential mobility particle sizer (DMA, DMPS)
Other chemical components (coarse) Filter sampling + extraction + other EC
Vertical distribution of properties Aerosol backscatter sonde U Wyoming 1989-01-09 ~ 1993-01-25
Greenhouse Gas C2Cl3F3 (1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, CFC-113) ## Flask sampling NOAA-ESRL-GMD 1977-01-01 ~ 2012-12-01
C2H3Cl2F (1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane, HCFC-141b) ## Flask sampling NOAA-ESRL-GMD 1992-01-20 ~ 2011-11-09
C2H3ClF2 (1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane, HCFC-142b) ## Flask sampling NOAA-ESRL-GMD 1992-01-20 ~ 2011-11-09
CBrClF2 (Halon 1211) GC-MS NOAA-ESRL-GMD 1992-01-20 ~ 2011-11-09
CBrF3 (bromotrifluoromethane, Halon 1301) GC-ECD NOAA-ESRL-GMD 1991-07-13 ~ 2006-12-01
CCl2F2 (dichlorodifluoromethane, CFC-12) ## Flask sampling NOAA-ESRL-GMD 1977-01-01 ~ 2012-12-01
CCl3F (trichlorofluoromethane, CFC-11) ## Flask sampling NOAA-ESRL-GMD 1977-01-01 ~ 2012-12-01
CCl4 ## Flask sampling NOAA-ESRL-GMD 1994-12-15 ~ 2012-12-01
CH2F4 (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, HFC-134a) GC-MS NOAA-ESRL-GMD 1994-12-08 ~ 2011-06-16
CH3CCl3 (1,1,1-trichloroethane) ## Flask sampling NOAA-ESRL-GMD 1991-11-15 ~ 2012-12-01
CH4 ## Flask sampling NOAA-ESRL-GMD 1985-06-01 ~ 2011-12-30
CH4 GC-FID EC 1988-01-01 ~ 2011-12-30
CH4 ## Flask sampling CSIRO 1991-04-01 ~ 2011-12-21
CH4 ## Flask sampling EC 1999-10-28 ~ 2011-12-30
CH4 GC-FID UHEI-IUP
CH4 [C-13] ## Flask sampling NOAA-ESRL-GMD 2000-08-01 ~ 2011-12-21
CHClF2 (difluoromethane, HCFC-22) ## Flask sampling NOAA-ESRL-GMD 1992-01-20 ~ 2011-11-09
CO2 ## Flask sampling NOAA-ESRL-GMD 1985-06-01 ~ 2011-12-30
CO2 Non-dispersive IR (NDIR) EC 1997-01-01 ~ 2002-01-01
CO2 ## Flask sampling EC 1975-07-01 ~ 2011-12-30
CO2 Non-dispersive IR (NDIR) EC 1988-01-01 ~ 2011-12-31
CO2 ## Flask sampling CSIRO 1991-04-23 ~ 2011-12-21
CO2 Non-dispersive IR (NDIR)
CO2 [C-13] Mass Spectrometry (MS) [general] CSIRO 1990-01-01 ~ 2011-12-21
CO2 [C-13] ## Flask sampling NOAA-ESRL-GMD 1992-04-01 ~ 2012-12-27
CO2 [O-18] ## Flask sampling NOAA-ESRL-GMD 1992-04-01 ~ 2012-12-27
N2O ## Flask sampling CSIRO 1991-04-23 ~ 2011-12-21
N2O ## Flask sampling UHEI-IUP
N2O ## Flask sampling NOAA-ESRL-GMD 1977-01-01 ~ 2012-12-01
N2O ## Flask sampling EC 1999-11-04 ~ 2011-12-30
N2O ## Flask sampling NOAA-ESRL-GMD
SF6 ## Flask sampling EC 2001-08-31 ~ 2005-12-28
SF6 ## Flask sampling NOAA-ESRL-GMD 1994-12-15 ~ 2012-12-01
Meteo Humidity Hygrometer EC
Pressure Barometer/Pressure sensor EC
Temperature Thermometer/-element EC
Trajectories EC 1988-01-01 ~ ongoing
Trajectories FLEXTRA Empa 2005-01-01 ~ ongoing
Wind direction Wind vane EC
Wind speed Anemometer EC
Ozone Surface ozone UV photometry [general]
Total column ozone Brewer MSC 2004-01-01 ~ 2012-07-31
Total column ozone Dobson MSC 1957-07-04 ~ 1958-11-30
Total column ozone Brewer MSC 1987-10-28 ~ 2012-07-31
Vertical ozone profile ## Sonde EC 1996-03-15 ~ 2008-12-05
Vertical ozone profile ECC Sonde MSC 1987-12-05 ~ 2011-12-28
Radiation Global solar radiation Eppley pyranometer EC 1964-01-01 ~ 2000-12-31
UV Spectral Brewer MSC 1995-06-09 ~ 2012-07-31
Radio Nuclide CO2 [C-14] Mass Spectrometry (MS) [general] UHEI-IUP
Radon [Rn-222] Filter sampling + alpha counting UHEI-IUP
Reactive Gas C2Cl4 ## Flask sampling NOAA-ESRL-GMD 1993-11-18 ~ 2011-06-16
C2H6 (ethane) GC-FID NOAA-ESRL-GMD 2005-09-07 ~ 2010-11-10
C3H8 (propane) GC-FID NOAA-ESRL-GMD 2005-09-07 ~ 2010-11-10
CH2Cl2 (dichloromethane) ## Flask sampling NOAA-ESRL-GMD 1994-05-12 ~ 2011-06-16
CH3Br (methylbromide) GC-MS NOAA-ESRL-GMD 1992-11-28 ~ 2011-11-09
CH3Cl (methylchloride) GC-MS NOAA-ESRL-GMD 1993-12-30 ~ 2011-11-09
CO ## Flask sampling CSIRO 1991-04-23 ~ 2011-12-21
CO ## Flask sampling NOAA-ESRL-GMD 1990-10-05 ~ 2011-12-30
CO GC-FID EC 1998-01-01 ~ 2010-06-26
H2 ## Flask sampling CSIRO 1991-04-23 ~ 2011-12-21
H2 ## Flask sampling NOAA-ESRL-GMD 1990-10-05 ~ 2005-06-29
i-C4H10 (2-methylpropane, iso-butane) GC-FID NOAA-ESRL-GMD 2005-09-07 ~ 2010-11-10
i-C5H12 (2-methylbutane, iso-pentane) GC-FID NOAA-ESRL-GMD 2005-09-07 ~ 2010-11-10
n-C4H10 (n-butane) GC-FID NOAA-ESRL-GMD 2005-09-07 ~ 2010-11-10
n-C5H12 (n-pentane) GC-FID NOAA-ESRL-GMD 2005-09-07 ~ 2010-11-10
NMHC ## Flask sampling INSTAAR

Contact Person(s)
name Colin Allison
address CSIRO Division of Marine and Atmospheric Research - Aspendale
Private Bag 1
Aspendale, VIC 3195
Australia
2009-12-15/0
phone
fax
mailto Colin.Allison@csiro.au
url
GAW function
station function Measurement leader [Greenhouse Gas: CO2 [C-13]]

name Mr. Thomas J. Conway
address NOAA/ESRL/GMD
325 Broadway
Boulder, CO 80305
United States
2013-01-24/-147256377
phone
fax
mailto thomas.j.conway@noaa.gov
url
GAW function
station function Measurement leader [Greenhouse Gas: CO2]

name Mr. Jonathon Davies
address Experimental Studies Division Meteorological Service of Canada
4905 Dufferin St.
Downsview, Ontario M3H 5T4
Canada
2004-05-18/1689207423
phone +1 (416) 739 42 10
fax +1 (416) 739 42 81
mailto jonathon.davies@ec.gc.ca
url
GAW function
station function Measurement leader [Ozone: Vertical ozone profile]

name Dr. James W. Elkins
address NOAA ESRL Global Monitoring Division
325 Broadway R/GMD
Boulder, CO 80305-332
United States
2011-01-17/0
phone +1 (303) 497-6224
fax +1 (303) 497-6290
mailto James.W.Elkins@noaa.gov
url www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/hats/personnel/elkins/elkins1.html
GAW function
station function Measurement leader [Greenhouse Gas: C2Cl3F3 (1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, CFC-113), Greenhouse Gas: C2H3Cl2F (1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane, HCFC-141b), Greenhouse Gas: C2H3ClF2 (1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane, HCFC-142b), Greenhouse Gas: CBrClF2 (Halon 1211), Greenhouse Gas: CBrF3 (bromotrifluoromethane, Halon 1301), Greenhouse Gas: CCl2F2 (dichlorodifluoromethane, CFC-12), Greenhouse Gas: CCl3F (trichlorofluoromethane, CFC-11), Greenhouse Gas: CCl4, Greenhouse Gas: CH2F4 (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, HFC-134a), Greenhouse Gas: CH3CCl3 (1,1,1-trichloroethane), Greenhouse Gas: CHClF2 (difluoromethane, HCFC-22), Greenhouse Gas: N2O, Greenhouse Gas: SF6, Reactive Gas: C2Cl4, Reactive Gas: CH2Cl2 (dichloromethane), Reactive Gas: CH3Br (methylbromide), Reactive Gas: CH3Cl (methylchloride)]

name Mr. Tom Grajnar
address Experimental Studies Division Meteorological Service of Canada
4905 Dufferin St.
Downsview, Ontario M3H 5T4
Canada
2001-06-12/jkl
phone +1 (416) 739 46 33
fax +1 (416) 739 42 81
mailto tom.grajnar@ec.gc.ca
url
GAW function
station function Measurement leader [Ozone: Total column ozone, Radiation: UV Spectral]

name Dr. Detlev Helmig
address Associate Research Professor Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) University of Colorado
1560 30th Street
Boulder, CO 80309-0450
United States
2013-01-24/-147256377
phone +1 (303) 492-2509
fax
mailto detlev@instaar.colorado.edu
url
GAW function
station function Measurement leader [Reactive Gas: C2H6 (ethane), Reactive Gas: C3H8 (propane), Reactive Gas: i-C4H10 (2-methylpropane, iso-butane), Reactive Gas: i-C5H12 (2-methylbutane, iso-pentane), Reactive Gas: n-C4H10 (n-butane), Reactive Gas: n-C5H12 (n-pentane), Reactive Gas: NMHC]

name Dr. Lin Huang
address Measurement and Analysis Research Division Meteorological Service of Canada
4905 Dufferin St.
Downsview, Ontario M3H 5T4
Canada
2011-01-31/1689207423
phone +1 (416) 739 58 21
fax
mailto lin.huang@ec.gc.ca
url EC
GAW function
station function Measurement leader [Aerosol: Carbonaceous/organic material (coarse), PM10, Aerosol: Carbonaceous/organic material (fine)]

name Dr. Ray Langenfelds
address CSIRO

Aspendale
Australia
2006-06-08/0
phone
fax
mailto ray.langenfelds@csiro.au
url
GAW function
station function

name Dr. Ingeborg Levin
address Institut für Umweltphysisk Universität Heidelberg
Im Neuenheimer Feld 229
D-69120 Heidelberg
Germany
2011-04-14/0
phone +49 6221 546 330
fax +49 6221 546 405
mailto ingeborg.levin@iup.uni-heidelberg.de
url www.iup.uni-heidelberg.de
GAW function
station function Measurement leader [Greenhouse Gas: CH4, Greenhouse Gas: N2O, Radio Nuclide: CO2 [C-14], Radio Nuclide: Radon [Rn-222]]

name Dr. Bruce McArthur
address Science and Technology Branch, Environment Canada Manager, Experimental Studies Section
4905 Dufferin Street
Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4
Canada
2009-05-27/2141913726
phone + 416 739-4464
fax + 416 739-4281
mailto bruce.mcarthur@ec.gc.ca
url
GAW function
station function Measurement leader [Radiation: Global solar radiation]

name Dr. Paul C. Novelli
address NOAA-ESRL-GMD
325 Broadway
Boulder, CO 80305
United States
2012-01-12/2141914043
phone +1 303-497-6774
fax +1 303-497-6290
mailto paul.c.novelli@noaa.gov
url
GAW function Member of SAG Reactive Gases
station function Measurement leader [Reactive Gas: CO, Reactive Gas: H2]

name Prof. Simon O'Doherty
address Atmospheric Chemistry Research Group School of Chemistry University of Bristol
Cantocks Close
BS8 1TS Bristol
United Kingdom
2012-10-26/-465586844
phone +44 (0) 117 9289186
+44 (0) 117 3317042
fax +44 (0) 117 9252990
mailto s.odoherty@bristol.ac.uk
url http://www.bris.ac.uk/chemistry/research/acrg/
GAW function
station function Measurement leader [Greenhouse Gas: N2O]

name Dr. John A. Ogren
address NOAA ESRL GMD
325 Broadway
Boulder, CO 80305
United States
2011-02-01/0
phone +1 (303) 497 6210
fax +1 (303) 497-5590
mailto John.A.Ogren@noaa.gov
url
GAW function Joint Scientific Committee OPAG EPAC, Member of SAG Aerosol
station function

name Mr. Andrew Platt
address Meteorological Service of Canada


Canada
2008-12-02/-147256320
phone
fax
mailto Andrew.Platt@ec.gc.ca
url
GAW function
station function Primary station contact, Measurement leader [Meteo: Humidity, Meteo: Pressure, Meteo: Temperature, Meteo: Wind direction, Meteo: Wind speed]

name Sangeeta Sharma
address Environment Canada, Climate Chemistry Measurements Research
4905 Dufferin Street
Downsview, Ontario M3H 5T4
Canada
2013-04-15/2141914127
phone +1 (416) 739 58 20
fax +1 (416) 739 57 04
mailto sangeeta.sharma@ec.gc.ca
url EC
GAW function
station function Measurement leader [Aerosol: Hemispheric backscattering coefficient, Aerosol: Light absorption coefficient, total aerosol, Aerosol: Light absorption coefficient, total aerosol, Aerosol: Light absorption coefficient, total aerosol, Aerosol: Light scattering coefficient, total aerosol, Aerosol: Major inorganic components (fine), Aerosol: Major inorganic components (TSP), Aerosol: Mass concentration (total aerosol) or Mass TSP, Aerosol: Number concentration, Aerosol: Number concentration, Aerosol: Number size distribution, total aerosol, Aerosol: Other chemical components (coarse)]

name Dr. Marcel van der Schoot
address CSIRO

Aspendale
Australia
2012-07-16/0
phone
fax
mailto marcel.vanderschoot@csiro.au
url
GAW function
station function Measurement leader [Greenhouse Gas: CH4, Greenhouse Gas: CO2, Greenhouse Gas: N2O, Reactive Gas: CO, Reactive Gas: H2]

name Mr. Bruce Vaughn
address University of Colorado Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR)
Campus box 450
Boulder, CO 80309-0450
United States
2006-06-12/0
phone +1-303-492-7985
fax +1-303-492-6388
mailto bruce.vaughn@colorado.edu
url
GAW function
station function Measurement leader [Greenhouse Gas: CH4 [C-13], Greenhouse Gas: CO2 [C-13], Greenhouse Gas: CO2 [O-18]]

name Mr. Doug Worthy
address Environment Canada, Climate Research Division
4905 Dufferin Street
Downsview, Ontario M3H 5T4
Canada
2011-02-10/0
phone +1 (416) 739 46 83
fax +1 (416) 739 46 64
mailto doug.worthy@ec.gc.ca
url http://www.msc-smc.ec.gc.ca/aqrb/arqm_page_worthy_e.cfm
GAW function Member of SAG Greenhouse Gases
station function Measurement leader [Greenhouse Gas: CH4, Greenhouse Gas: CH4, Greenhouse Gas: CO2, Greenhouse Gas: CO2, Greenhouse Gas: CO2, Greenhouse Gas: CO2, Greenhouse Gas: N2O, Greenhouse Gas: SF6, Meteo: Trajectories, Reactive Gas: CO]

name Yoko Yokouchi
address National Institute for Environmental Studies
16-2 Onogawa
Tsukuba, Ibaraki
Japan
2004-06-23/1689207423
phone
fax
mailto yokouchi@nies.go.jp
url
GAW function
station function


References
Batenburg, A. M., et al. (2011), Temporal and spatial variability of the stable isotopic composition of atmospheric molecular hydrogen: observations at six EUROHYDROS stations, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 11, 6985--6999, doi:10.5194/acp-11-6985-2011, http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/11/6985/2011/
Quinn, P. K., et al. (2007), Arctic haze: current trends and knowledge gaps, Tellus Series B-Chemical and Physical Meteorology, 59, 99-114
Tomasi, C., et al. (2007), Aerosols in polar regions: A historical overview based on optical depth and in situ observations, Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres, 112
Sharma, S., et al. (2006), Variations and sources of the equivalent black carbon in the high Arctic revealed by long-term observations at Alert and Barrow: 1989-2003, Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres, 111
Stohl, A., et al. (2006), Pan-Arctic enhancements of light absorbing aerosol concentrations due to North American boreal forest fires during summer 2004, Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres, 111
Zellweger, Christoph, et al. (2004), System and Performance Audit of Surface Ozone Carbon Monoxide and Methane at the Global GAW Station Alert, Canada, April 2004, WCC-Empa Report 04/2, gaw.empa.ch/audits/ALT_2004.pdf
CHAN, Y.H. and WONG, CS (1990), Long-term changes in amplitudes of atmospheric CO2 concentrations at Ocean Station P and Alert, Canada, Tellus B, 42, 330--341
Higuchi, K. and Daggupaty, SM (1985), On variability of atmospheric co2 at station Alert, Atmospheric Environment (1967), 19, 2039--2044
 
 
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